The case in the government-controlled southern province of Hadramawt involves a port employee, who is in stable conditions. Saudi Arabia’s unilateral truce has been in effect since yesterday. For the Vicar of Arabia, COVID-19 might paradoxically have a "positive effect" for the conflict.
Francis celebrated the ‘In Coena Domini” Mass in an empty St Peter’s Basilica, except for a dozen people present. “Nobody knows their names”. They are “anonymous priests, country parish priests who know the locals. One told me that he knew the names of all the people in the village. ‘Really? I said to him.’ Even the dogs. [. . .] Today I carry you all to the altar.”
The Pope will not celebrate the chrism mass today, instead it will take place once the crisis is over. There will be Mass in Coena Domini, but without the washing of the feet. Tomorrow, the Via Crucis will be in St. Peter's square. During the Holy Saturday Vigil, at 9 pm, no baptisms will be celebrated. At Easter he will pronounce the message Urbi et Orbi and impart the Easter blessing before the altar of confession.
In the story of the Passion, the answer to the question "what is God doing" in the face of the pandemic. "Let us not forget that the cross is the chair of God. It will do us good to look at the Crucifix in silence and see who our Lord is." “Easter tells us that God can turn everything to good. That with Him we can truly trust that everything will be fine ".
“They pretend to serve God to serve money. They are the hidden exploiters who are socially flawless, but under the table they do business, even with people: it doesn't matter. Human exploitation is selling one's neighbor."
ʿAsīr governor is urging people to learn from Mary's perseverance. Trust in God, strength to survive and courage in difficult times make her a "true victor". Saudi Arabia has the highest number of cases among Arab Gulf nations.
A statement from the Holy See. Cardinal Oswald Gracias said "certain from the outset" of the acquittal. The Archbishop of Bombay said he believed the accusations were "absurd".
The young woman, a member of the Grup Yorum musical band, went on a hunger strike with fellow band members to denounce Erdoğan's repression. Grup Yorum’s concerts have been banned for three years. Seven members are in jail. The so-called democratic world remains silent.
“Let us each think of this, as part of the people of God: we are servants, our vocation is to serve, not to take advantage of our place in the Church. To serve. Always in service."
In 2018, the cardinal was sentenced to 6 years in prison. As soon as he was acquitted he said he had "suffered from a profound injustice", but also that he had no "ill will" towards his accuser and that he did not want to add to the "hurt and bitterness" so many feel. In all these years, the Vatican has always maintained the presumption of innocence for Card. Pell.
Bassam Al Hallak died after seven hours of agony. Nobody did anything for him, not even the UN, his son Haitham said. Unemployed for two years, he feared the epidemic would plunge his family in greater poverty. Seen as carriers of the virus, Syrian refugees endure discrimination.
Some “charitable or humanitarian organizations that have many, many employees, with a structure full of people and only about 40% of donations make it to the poor because 60% goes to pay many salaries. This is a way of taking money from the poor."
In his message to the faithful, the cardinal stresses hope of a pass-over "from darkness to light,” from “suffering to freedom; from selfishness to altruism and from isolation to solidarity". Politicians have the task of rethinking development, protecting creation and building a world without wars, death, and poverty.
The pandemic emergency, far from under control, forces priests to celebrate mass without the people. On the night of the resurrection the tomb in Jerusalem was dominated by the same silence and lack of participants. The world resembles one great tomb that puts our pretension to happiness at all costs with its back to the wall. The announcement of the resurrection in empty churches needs prophets to bring this hope to the global grave.
